AT&T Getting Some Android Love, Finally
So it turns out AT&T isn’t shunning Android after all. They have just officially announced that they will be carrying the new Motorola Backflip for $100 after mail-in rebate for new customers. The Backflip is a Blur based Android device (similar to the CLIQ), with a unique opening design; the screen is on the back side, hence back flip.
Strange, right? But not a bad concept I guess, it’s a struggle to be different in form factor nowadays so kudos to them for trying, at least.
The phone’s specs are as follows:
528mhz Processor
256Mbs of RAM
5.0MP Camera with Flash
Wifi, Bluetooth, GPS
3.1″ capacitive touchscreen
QWERTY Keyboard
Android 1.6 (upgradeable to 2.1 according to Motorola’s site)
So not the most feature rich device, but a nice first Android phone for AT&T’s portfolio.
But that’s not the only announcement regarding Android AT&T made, they also said that they will be getting 4 more Android devices in the first half of 2010. These devices will be coming from 3 manufacturers; Dell (pretty sure you can bet it’ll be the Dell Mini 5/Streak), HTC, and Motorola. They didn’t report on how many from each, but I’d guess 1 Dell, 2 HTC’s and 1 Motorola judging by the companies’ recent output of Android devices. But rejoice AT&T users, Android cometh.
Did you all forget Xperia X10?
Oscar,
Were talking about ATT officially announcing an Android phone, not just rumors. Unless ATT announced the X10 and I missed it? Have a link?
I want to start by saying that I’ve had the pleasure of working with ATT for the last 5 years. While they’ve had “decent†service, I still drop calls in the middle of downtown Seattle, downtown Bellevue, etc, just unacceptable.
We ordered a new Motorola Backflip, the first Android O/S phone that ATT has released. It released April 7th, and we ordered that afternoon online. The ads are everywhere, front page of ATT’s site, TV ads… $99 after mail in rebate with a new 2 year contract. So we ordered, and here’s the kicker. On the invoice we saw “not eligible for mail in rebateâ€. ??? The orders get placed through the Premier site, so I had to contact Premier to find out why. The answer was that we upgraded the phone only, not the phone and a voice plan. What? Ok, we already have the unlimited voice @ $69/mo, what more do we need here? Come to find out, it is invalid, because it just requires a $39 voice plan, but Premier would not budge on it!
Be careful how you order!!! Going into a store may be the best way to do it, or ordering by phone with a representative. Another thing that gets to me is how they bill for the phone. You can’t simply have it added to your bill if you are a residential (or whatever the term is) customer. I am also the telecom manager at work, and I can have handset purchases billed to my account all day long. I’ve been a “residential†customer longer than my company has had ATT service. My company only hosts 5 phones! What’s the difference here?
Ok, so I call in to order another Backflip, I guess I’m a glutton for punishment. Ordering for my workplace, so billing to the account is no problem. I called in, and was told that they would wave the activation fee and give me an additional $50 off. I had to get manager approval, so after that I call back in. The guy on the phone is trying to get $149 out of me right off the bat, even though I informed him of the huge TV ads, and front of their website. I was told “it might not be available in your areaâ€. What? Its a national freakin ad! He looked into it a bit further and I only paid $49. So there you have it, call in or go in. And don’t let them try to weasel their way out of their promotion!
Just wanted to add, that this being my first Android device, I should have spent more time doing research. The specs on this device are as slow, or slower than a buddy of mine’s G1, and nothing near the newer Android devices. It’s also locked down out of the box, and from what I’m reading, may not have much of a chance to root. Great, I’m glad I only spent $49 on it, so I can revert back to my Blackberry Bold after I get sick of it. Maybe I’ll be proved wrong, but I’ve been a BB junkie for the last 5 years, and used most all models since the 7520.